As the sun shone across Suffolk this weekend around 1,000 people were attending the annual Lark in the Park event in Ipswich.

Ipswich Star: The Ipswich Youth Steel Band Picture: CHARLES MOOREThe Ipswich Youth Steel Band Picture: CHARLES MOORE (Image: Archant)

The family fun day in Gippeswyk Park in Ipswich has been held in the area for almost two decades.

Sunday’s Lark in the Park was thought to be the 18th year for the event.

The fun day was organised by the Chantry Residents’ Association, a local charity which puts on events and helps residents living in the Chantry area of Ipswich and also runs a shop in the district.

A number of stalls and games were on offer to those attending the event.

A tombola and a penalty shoot out competition were just some of the attractions on the day with younger visitors also enjoying bouncy castles and donkey rides that were held in the park.

As well as these attractions there were performances by local karate and dance groups as well as stalls from local groups.

Also performing at the event were the Ipswich Youth Steel Band who were conducted by Trevor Jones.

A range of food stalls also kept visitors happy on the day with Caribbean and Turkish delicacies among those on offer at Lark in the Park.

“The event was okay,” said Charles Moore, chairman of the Chantry Resident’s Association, “we had sunshine of course.”

Mr Moore said that the England footballers World Cup win over Panama seemed to have had an effect on the usual crowd numbers at the event but that those who had attended had enjoyed their day in the park.

“Most people who came along seemed to have fun but the football took some of the crowd.”

Despite the World Cup around 1,000 people are thought to have been in attendance on the day.

Mr Moore said he was grateful for the community’s support and those who provided entertainment on the day, in particular the Ipswich Youth Steel Band who he said had sounded great in the park.

“Thanks for the people who came along,” said Mr Moore, “and a huge thank you to all the people who came along to help us on the day.”

Mr Moore said that hopes were high that the event would return next year for its 19th annual fun day.

“We hope so,” said Mr Moore, “people expect it every year.”